This is the first part of our mini-series featuring photographs and memories of Marks & Spencer in Falmouth. Parts 2 and 3 will be published at 7pm on Thursday and Friday.

Marks & Spencer became etched in Falmouth's high street history when it opened its doors for the first time on December 15, 1933.

It is believed a major Marks and Spencer shareholder in the 1930s had a holiday home in Falmouth and wanted the first store in Cornwall to be here.

The site of Marks and Spencer in Market Street Falmouth was originally owned and operated by W.&C.E. Carnes Wine, Spirit and General Merchants at least from 1830, when it was listed in the Pigots Trade Directory of that date.

Their brewery business in Killigrew Street is believed to date from the 1880s.

Carnes sold their whole business in 1921 to Devenish brewery for £59,000 – including the Market Street premises Nos 44 and 45, the brewery in Killigrew Street and many other properties in the town.

In 1932 Devenish sold No 44 Market Street to Marks and Spencer. The whole building was demolished and redeveloped. The frontage of the shop was taken back to be in line with No. 45.

In 1961 Marks and Spencer acquired the adjacent building, No 45, from Devenish enabling the original 1933 store to be extended.

Work on the extension began in 1961 and a year later, the new-look store was launched.

By 1979, exact date unknown, Marks and Spencer had expanded into 46 Market Street – the adjacent former Midland Bank premises. No demolition was involved.

The two large white bay windows, such a feature of the Marks and Spencer café today, were features of the rear of the Midland Bank in 1959, as can be clearly seen in Photo 8. The two windows can also be clearly seen in Photo 11.

* Tomorrow evening (Thursday) at 7pm we will publish a photo gallery of staff and shop interiors from days gone by.